Intermission // Van McCann

27. My Love for You

Saturday, 26 September 2020
Wedding Day

I kept waking up during the night due to nerves and excitement. It felt strange not having Van by my side. I was used to the warmth he radiated and hearing his steady breathing. I knew if he was here, he wouldn't be able to sleep either. We'd stay up all night talking but it didn't matter if we couldn't sleep—as long as we had each other, we'd be fine.

I grabbed my phone to check the time and saw that I got a text message a few hours ago from Van. I must've been asleep and didn't hear it buzz.

Van: *I love you. Good night. x*

He sent the text a little after midnight. I was honestly expecting him to be up much later so I was surprised he texted me good night so early. I began texting him back, grinning.

Ren: *I love you too. Good night.*

As soon as I sent the text, I realized my mistake. It was almost 2:30 AM and I prayed that I didn't wake Van up. I quickly put my phone away and pulled the covers over my head hoping I didn't wake him. I could hear my phone vibrating at regular intervals which meant I had a call. I quickly answered the phone.

"I woke you up, didn't I? I'm so sorry," I apologized, feeling guilty.

"I was already awake, Ren," I heard Van answer. His voice was soft and he sounded sleepy. For a moment, I wished he was by my side. Not seeing him for a full 24 hours was tough. I missed him so much.

"I miss you. Whose idea was it for the bride and groom to not see each other for 24 hours?" I asked.

"I think it's supposed to be bad luck. So how was your night out? Did you have fun?"

"You know how those go. Am I getting married or is it Leigha?"

I could hear Van laughing. "What'd she do this time? Did she hire a stripper?"

My cheeks immediately turned red and I buried my face into the pillow. "No, thank God!" I shouted, my voice muffled by the pillow.

I've heard stories of wild nights and wanted no part of that. I told Leigha that if she wanted me to go out, there would be nothing crazy whatsoever. She agreed too easily which worried me but I was glad she listened for the most part until she got drunk and started sobbing, telling me how happy she was that I was getting married and how I'd make a beautiful bride. I had to comfort her the entire night and people looked at us wondering what on earth was happening.

"Nothing bad happened," I clarified. "She got really emotional so I was comforting her the whole night. It ended up not being fun so we headed back to the hotel for an early night in and of course I couldn't sleep a wink. So how was your night?"

"Oh, you know. Lovely. Just lovely."

"I can't tell if you're being sarcastic," I replied.

"I am. Bondy talked my ear off about marriage and Iván did the same. You already know we've had the lecture from my mum and dad, and then from your mum and dad. And Bondy and Iván? They're not even married yet! But apparently they know more than I do," Van complained. "I'm the young'un in the group and they still treat me like it. At 10 PM, I told them I was tired and sent them home."

I began laughing as I imagined the scene. Van sitting between the two with a splitting headache. He acted like an old man sometimes.

"So how's Cooper doing? Did you feed him?" I asked, changing the subject.

I could hear Van groaning. "I know how to care for a dog, y'know. I think you forgot about Little Mary! But we're snuggled up together in bed."

"I thought he wasn't allowed on the bed."